Strong Enough (Cher song)

"Strong Enough"
Single by Cher
from the album Believe
Released	February 19, 1999
Recorded	1998
Genre	Disco
Length	Album Version 3:44 Radio Edit 3:33
Label	Warner Bros/Wea
Writer(s)	Mark Taylor, Paul Barry
Producer(s)	Mark Taylor
Cher singles chronology
"Believe" (1998) "Strong Enough" (1999) "All or Nothing" (1999)

"Strong Enough" is a song by American recording artist Cher from her twenty-second studio album Believe (1998). The song was released as the second single from the album. It was released on February 19, 1999 by Warner Bros, and WEA. The song's composition and musical style is strongly reminiscent of 1970s disco music. The song received positive reviews from music critics, many calling it a highlight to Believe. The song had less success in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number fifty-seven, but did top the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play charts. It also went into a top ten in UK, Belgium, Germany, France, New Zealand, Spain, Italy and Finland.

Background and reception

"Strong Enough" was released as the second international single from Cher's twenty-third studio album Believe, which was released in 1998. However it was not successful in the US until it received more airplay following the release of promotional remixes. The song, along with "Believe", has become one of her most successful songs to date.

"Strong Enough" received favorable reviews from music critics. Allmusic wrote that "Cher herself merely moves through the beat factory with one drab vocal range, blending butt-shaker."^[1]

Chart performance

"Strong Enough" had peaked at number fifty-seven on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, staying in the charts for twelve weeks. The song didn't receive much attention in the United States, but when the promo remixes were released, the song had peaked at number one on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play. It also peaked at number thirty-one on the U.S. Pop Songs, number twenty-nine on the U.S. Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks and number forty on the U.S. Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks.^[2]

Elsewhere, the song was successful, mostly getting in the top ten in most countries. The song had peaked at number six in New Zealand, and also peaked at number eleven in Australia.^[3] The song was also very well received in Europe. The song had also peaked at number seven in Finland, until falling out the third week and number three in France, staying in the charts for twenty-four weeks.^[4] The song had also peaked at number twenty-one in Sweden, five in Switzerland, four in Austria, eleven in The Netherlands and sixteen in Norway. The song also debuted at number five on the UK Singles Chart, until descending the rest of the way, finally finishing at number fifty-six.^[5]

Music video

Cher performing "Strong Enough" at her 2014 Dressed to Kill Tour during a gladiator-themed segment of the show.

The music video for Strong Enough was directed by Nigel Dick and was released worldwide in early 1999. A promo VHS tape and CD-R were also released in the U.S., but are very rare. The video promo also includes the remixed version of the video.

In this video, Cher is a computer virus and her role is an advisor who tells a bad boyfriend the reasons why his girlfriend (played by Shannyn Sossamon) will leave him. Other participations in this video include teens in a party, two women, two robbers and lots of gothic instrument players.

A couple of months after the release of the original music video for Strong Enough, Dan-O-Rama (best known for his work remixing videos) created the "Vocal Club Edit" video for this song. He used the Strong Enough (Pumpin' Dolls Vocal Epic Club) remix and Club 69 Future Edit* promo only for DJs in 2000. The original music video is also featured on 'The Very Best Of Cher: The Video Hits Collection'

Live performances

Cher performed the song on the following concert tours:

• Do You Believe? Tour
• The Farewell Tour (2002–2005)
• Cher at the Colosseum
• Dressed to Kill Tour

Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of all single releases of "Strong Enough".

US/Canadian maxi-single (9 44644-2)^[6][7]

1. "Strong Enough"
2. "Strong Enough" (Club 69 Future Anthem Mix 1)
3. "Strong Enough" (Pumpin' Dolls Vocal Epic Club)
4. "Strong Enough" (Male Version)
5. "Strong Enough" (Club 69 Phunk Mix)
6. "Strong Enough" (Marc Andrews Remix Edit)
7. "Strong Enough" (Pumpin' Dolls Cashmere Club Mix)
8. "Strong Enough" (D-Bop's Melt Mix)
9. "Strong Enough" (Club 69 Future Anthem Short Mix Edit)
10. "Strong Enough" (Pumpin' Dolls Radio Edit)

Canadian 2 x 12" vinyl (2 27570)^[7][8]

Same track list of the US 2 x 12 Vinyl.^[7]

US 2 x 12" vinyl (PRO-A-9719)^[7][9]

• A1. "Strong Enough" (Club 69 Future Anthem Mix 2)
• A2. "Strong Enough"
• B1. "Strong Enough" (Club 69 Phunk Mix)
• B2. "Strong Enough" (Marc Andrews Remix Edit)
• C1. "Strong Enough" (Pumpin' Dolls Vocal Epic Club)
• C2. "Strong Enough" (D-Bop's Melt Mix)
• D1. "Strong Enough" (Pumpin' Dolls Cashmere Club Mix)
• D2. "Strong Enough" (Club 69 Future Anthem Short Mix)

Japananese Strong Enough/Believe EP (JPN-WPCR-10224 )^[7][10]

1. "Strong Enough"
2. "Strong Enough" (Pumpin' Dolls Remix Edit = Phat 'N' Phunky Club Mix)
3. "Strong Enough" (Club 69 Future Anthem Mix 2)
4. "Strong Enough" (Marc Andrews Remix)
5. "Believe" (Album Version)
6. "Believe" (Phat'n Dolls Remix Edit = Phat 'N' Phunky Club Mix)
7. "Believe" (Almighty Definitive)
8. "Believe" (Club 69 Phunk Club Mix)

UK CD single pt. 1 (WEA 201 CD1)^[7][11]

1. "Strong Enough"
2. "Strong Enough" (Club 69 Future Anthem Short Mix Edit)
3. "Strong Enough" (Marc Andrews Remix Edit)

Germany CD single pt. 2 (WEA 201 CD2)^[7][12]

1. "Strong Enough"
2. "Strong Enough" (Male Version)
3. "Strong Enough" (D-Bop's Melt Mix)

Promo CD Mexican (PCD1217) ^[7]

1. "Strong Enough" (Album Version) 3:44
2. "Strong Enough" (Marc Andrews Remix Edit) 7:31

Official mixes

• Album Version (3:44)
• Edit (3:33)
• Male Version (3:32)

D-Bop remixes

• D-Bop's Melt Mix (7:49)

Marc Andrews remixes

• Marc Andrews Remix (aka "Marc Andrews Remix Edit" on some releases) (7:31)
• Marc Andrews Remix (Extended) (7:56)

Club 69 remixes

• Club 69 Future Anthem Mix (11:00)
• Club 69 Future Anthem Mix (11:00) (Japan single edition)
• Club 69 Future Anthem Mix (9:25) (Promo only)
• Club 69 Future Anthem Short Mix (8:56)
• Club 69 Future Anthem Short Mix Edit (8:39)
• Club 69 Phunk Mix (8:32)
• Club 69 Future Anthem Instrumental (11:00)
• Club 69 Future Anthem Edit (Promo only) (5:33)
• Club 69 Future Beats (5:29)

Pumpin remixes

• Pumpin' Dolls Cashmere Club Mix (8:34)
• Pumpin' Dolls Vocal Epic Club (7:22)
• Pumpin' Dolls Remix Edit (3:48)

Wayne G remix – Not Official

• Sleaze Sisters Remix (8:59)

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (1999) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[13] 11 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[14] 4 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[15] 6 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[16] 4 Belgium (Promuvi)[17] 2 Canada (Canadian Singles Chart)[18] 16 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[19] 30 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[20] 13 Canada Dance (RPM)[21] 12 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[22] 3 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[23] 7 France (SNEP)[24] 3 Germany (Official German Charts)[25] 3 Ireland (IRMA)[26] 11 Italy (FIMI)[22] 10 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[27] 11 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[28] 11 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[29] 6 Norway (VG-lista)[30] 16 Scotland (Official Charts Company)[31] 4 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[32] 4 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[33] 21 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[34] 5 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[35] 5 US Billboard Hot 100[36] 57 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[37] 29 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[38] 40 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[39] 1 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[40] 31 US Top 40 Tracks (Billboard)[18] 34

Year-end charts Chart (1999) Position Australia (ARIA)[41] 65 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[42] 40 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[43] 42 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[44] 12 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[45] 81 France (SNEP)[46] 22 Germany (Official German Charts)[47] 39 Italy (Hit Parade)[48] 68 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[49] 56 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[50] 57 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[51] 39 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[52] 72 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[53] 26 US Top Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[54] 14 Certifications and sales Region Certification Certified units/Sales Australia (ARIA)[55] Gold 35,000^^ Belgium (BEA)[56] Platinum 50,000^* France (SNEP)[57] Gold 250,000^* Germany (BVMI)[58] Gold 250,000^^ United Kingdom (BPI)[59] Silver 200,000^^ ^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

Chart successions

Cover versions

• In late 1999 the song was covered on Croatian language by Croatian singer Doris Dragović.
• In 2014 the song was covered in Catalan language by a Romanian singer Alexandra Stan for the charity album "La Marató 2014".

References

1. Review by Allmusic Retrieved October 25, 2013
2. "Believe - Cher". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
3. Steffen Hung. "Cher - Strong Enough". charts.org.nz. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
4. Steffen Hung. "Cher - Strong Enough". lescharts.com. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
5. "Cher - Strong Enough". Chart Stats. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
6. Cher - Strong Enough
7. "Strong Enough Single".
8. Cher - Strong Enough
9. Cher - Strong Enough
10. Cher - Strong Enough/Believe
11. Cher - Strong Enough
12. Cher - Strong Enough
13. "Australian-charts.com – Cher – Strong Enough". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
14. "Austriancharts.at – Cher – Strong Enough" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
15. "Ultratop.be – Cher – Strong Enough" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
16. "Ultratop.be – Cher – Strong Enough" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
17. "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
18. "Cher Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
19. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8124." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
20. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8469." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
21. "RPM Dance". RPM. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
22. "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
23. "Cher: Strong Enough" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
24. "Lescharts.com – Cher – Strong Enough" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
25. "Cher - Top Titel" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
26. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Strong Enough". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
27. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 17, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved October 31, 2015.
28. "Dutchcharts.nl – Cher – Strong Enough" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
29. "Charts.org.nz – Cher – Strong Enough". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
30. "Norwegiancharts.com – Cher – Strong Enough". VG-lista. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
31. "Archive Chart: 1999-02-28". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
32. "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
33. "Swedishcharts.com – Cher – Strong Enough". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
34. "Swisscharts.com – Cher – Strong Enough". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
35. "Cher: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
36. "Cher – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Cher. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
37. "Cher – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Cher. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
38. "Cher – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Cher. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
39. "Cher – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for Cher. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
40. "Cher – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Cher. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
41. "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 1999". ARIA. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
42. "Jahreshitparade Singles 1999" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
43. "Jaaroverzichten 1999" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
44. "Rapports annuels 1999" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
45. "RPM 1999 Top 100 Adult Contemporary". RPM. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
46. "Classement Singles - année 1999" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
47. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
48. "I singoli più venduti del 1999" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
49. "Single Top 100 Van 1999" (PDF) (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
50. "Jaaroverzichten - single 1999". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
51. "Swiss Year-end Charts 1999". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
52. "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40-1999 wg sprzedaży" (in Polish). Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
53. "The Year in Music: 1999" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
54. "The Year in Music: 1999" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
55. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
56. "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – 1999". Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
57. "French single certifications – Cher – Strong Enough" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
58. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Cher; 'Strong Enough')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
59. "British single certifications – Cher – Strong Enough". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Strong Enough in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search

External links

• Official Cher site
• Warner official site
• Cher at the Internet Movie Database
• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics